When a business makes plans for their website SEO, they may think only of getting their phone number and street address at the top of their home page. However, there is much more that can be done in keying your webpages to your business location. And, as it happens, there are several important aspects of location information that should be part of your website’s SEO profile.
First and foremost, it is indeed very important that a business has its location information present on the home webpage. This is especially true for local search engine optimization. Local search engine optimization services are very aware of how important location is for Maps rankings. It should also be on every other page, so that no matter which page a visitor lands on, they know where to find your business. Don’t make the internet searcher have to hunt through several pages to find out how to physically get to your business.
Having your physical address clearly on your website helps your potential customer get to your doorstep. Another way of making sure how they can find you is to add directions and maps that let the seeker know the nearest major crossroads and landmarks. When someone hunts for your services and products, and they like the information they find on your website, you want to make it as easy as possible for them to come to you. That is why having the location information available on every page is important.
In preparing your website for the best SEO results, however, there are more things that can be done with your content to attract search engine attention to your location information. Because some of the search engines actually read and review the content of your website, your descriptive text needs to include descriptions that indicate your business is indeed located where the address places it. What that means is that in the description you do not simply repeat the name of the city of your business, you include references to other distinctive characteristics of the location.
Distinctive characteristics can mean referencing local landmarks, major cross streets, and thoroughfares near your location. If you are situated in a notable neighborhood, the name of the neighborhood can be included. You can even describe the boundaries of the immediate district you are part of. Each additional element dotted through your webpage that gives the reader a sense of your presence in your location also is additional evidence to the search engines that your business is indeed located where you say it is.
More and more these days, as people use the internet to find goods and services, they are choosing to shop locally for these products. If they are looking for car repair services, they will rarely be willing to travel all the way across town to find them. They may want to find the best and closest provider of a particular service. That is why including descriptive information of your place in your neighborhood and community can be a distinct advantage for you, above the benefits to your SEO rankings.
Robert Portillo is the founder of Nimbus Marketing. Nothing satisfies him more than expressing his thoughts well. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons. He can often be found at local farmer’s markets, hiking trails, and the beach.
